Rantings of a Disenfranchised Voter

So, I can't vote in the 2015 Nigerian elections. *almost sad face*. Well, I'll look on the bright side AFTER my rant!

I actually voted in the 2011 elections. Don't ask who I voted for and I won't tell, lol. I have a Permanent Voter's Card but I can't use it. "Why?", you may ask.

I'm glad you did. I have moved from where I registered in 2011. I don't believe that is too hard to foresee. Or is it? I kept shouting and crying about my 'condition' until a concerned party led me to INEC's guidelines on the "Transfer of Wards".

According to the guidelines, I was to write to the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) requesting for the transfer. The letter was to be submitted at least 30 days before the election I wish to participate in. The letter could be submitted in the INEC office around the ward I wish to be transferred to.

I quickly drafted the letter and made the necessary arrangements as I still had enough time (or so I thought). You can imagine how amazed I was to be told that INEC is no longer attending to transfers but that I can check back after the elections. Hmmm. I raised this issue with the person that led me to the guidelines. He said they had raised the issue with INEC and the explanation INEC gave was that INEC expects all matters related to transfers to have been completed 30 days before the elections as they are required to publish the list of registered voters in each polling unit at least 30 days before the elections.

We went on to discuss why the PVC couldn't be configured to work in any polling unit and then have a security feature that limits the number of times it can be used on Election Day. I hope INEC takes these recommendations on board for future elections

Someone suggested that I lodge in a hotel around the polling unit where I am registered so that I can vote. Erm, I'm not passionate enough about any of the parties to incur those additional expenses, though I would have voted for one of them, if it wasn't going to be such an expensive venture. I've resolved to pray and share as much SENSIBLE information as I can concerning the elections. I pray the dates remain unchanged so that all the campaign drama, lies, propaganda and traffic jams can come to an end.

If you have a useful PVC, please vote wisely. Don't engage in violence, stick to the rules. If it is safe to do so, record any evidence of electoral malpractices and share with any of the media outlets you can, including social media.

I pray that as #NigeriaDecides this month, we will allow God lead us to elect leaders that will make themselves available to build a nation where peace, prosperity and justice shall reign.